Oakview Veterinary Medical Center

2110 JayMar RoadPlover, WI 54467

(715)344-6311

www.oakviewvet.net

How to Prepare for Your Cat's Appointment:

The Fear Free Way

To truly change the dynamic of cat veterinary visits, we will need your help! There are things you can do to begin the process of decreasing your cat's anxiety and avoiding those dreaded car rides with a howling, stressed out kitty.

The classic story of finding and then wrestling a cat to get him into the carrier is the exact opposite goal of Fear Free. One thing we know about cats is they need safe spaces. This is the opposite of dogs, who need safe people. So, get ready for a lot of discussion about carriers.

What kind of carriers do cats prefer?

For cats, so much is about the carrier! It may surprise you to know that scientists have done studies on how cats prefer to be transported. So, we know A LOT about what your cat needs to feel safe. The scariest way for a cat is to carry them in your arms. They do not like being loose in the great outdoors, there are lots of scary things out there!

So, what kind of transportation do cats prefer? First, most cats do not like soft sided carriers! They are flimsy and more likely to keep a cat off balance. A cat wants a hard sided carrier with a non-slip surface inside. We also know cats REALLY don't like swinging! Regardless of what kind of carrier, it is important to carry it from the bottom, not the top.

Something your vet and your cat will appreciate is a hard sided carrier where the top opens easily, like the one pictured above. Oftentimes, we can do everything needed in the clinic with your cat comfortable in her carrier bottom.

Now for the hard part. Getting kitty in the carrier! We are challenging you to do this differently! Take your cat's cozy, hard sided carrier, and put it out in your house. No more storage in basements, garages, and attics. This is supposed to be your fur babies safe place, let's make it so! Make it cozy with catnip, treats, and toys. In fact, feeding your cat his or her meals in the crate helps a lot. Cats take their time with changes, so it could be as long as several months before they enjoy using their carrier to relax in at home. Once this is accomplished, you will be shocked at how your cat's car ride and vet visit changes!

Let's review recommendations for carriers:

Use a hard sided carrier where the top comes off easily

Put a non-slip surface inside

Carry it from below, cats don't like to swing!

Cover the carrier so your cat can only see out the front

Use Feliway before travel

Put the carrier in the common area of your home and make it tempting

Car travel with anxious cats

Now you have the appropriate carrier and your cat is calmly waiting in it. Remember to carry the carrier from the bottom to give as much stabilization as possible. Spray Feliway in the car about 10-15 minutes before leaving.

Basic safety dictates that your cat is safely restrained in a carrier and ideally placed on the floor behind the front seat. Cover the carrier so your cat is not overwhelmed by passing cars and scenery. If you put the carrier on the car seat, face it forward and use a book to prop up the back end so it is level.

During the ride, we recommend calm, quiet music. Only classical music has been shown to reduce stress in cats.

Fear Free check in

Once you arrive at the clinic, feel free to "check in" with the front desk from your phone if you like! We offer a "concierge" service so that you and your pet can wait where you are comfortable until we have a room ready. Then we can escort you directly to a room without all of the chaos of the lobby! Just let the receptionist know that you have arrived and are in your vehicle - we will take it from there!